Buffett's reassuring words about our long-term economic picture are a balm we have needed. Thanks for your perspective and his. If only we could apply Buffett's long-term optimism to the plight of those served by US AID, or our progress fighting disease, or the reputation of America overseas..... But I shall not take counsel in my fears today. Cheers.
Bill, I wonder if Buffet uses Rule of Law as the concept that allows for the stability necessary for him to seemingly ignore what the words and phrases you noted he doesn’t use. Bill
Did he mention Crypto? Did he mention trade with Canada which is huge for some of his businesses? It’s good to ignore the chaff, it’s problematic to ignore fundamental shuddering.
Thank you, sir. Mr. Buffet is a smart man whom I admire greatly. My dad preached "long term investing" also, and, having listened to him, I do not worry about market ups and downs. Strong companies, well managed, will continue to exist and ultimately thrive.
I worry about all the People who have lost their jobs and others who have lost their support network(s), for example USAID, School Lunch support and the Farm programs that supported them, and Voice of America for heaven's sake! Those people have lost both tangible and intangible support. That loss is not easily endured or corrected and those losses are worth our deepest concern and eventually our actions towards restoration.
I believe Mr Buffett is reserving comment on his two fellow billionaires while waiting for the inevitable. What happens when Trump and Musk start pointing fingers at each other when the DOGE experiment goes south? The words loyalty and responsibility do not exist in either of their vocabularies.
I would love to see the data showing Berkshire contributing 5% of all coorporate taxes to the US Treasury. I find that very hard to believe it's that much.
“Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett wrote in his annual shareholder letter that his company paid $26.8 billion in taxes for 2024, marking the highest-ever payment made to the U.S. government. Buffett made it clear he didn’t mind paying such a large tax bill, but urged the government to use it to take care of burdened Americans.”
“Berkshire Hathaway’s $26.8 billion tax bill for 2024 marked the largest-ever tax payment made to the U.S. government—surpassing even tech giants “that commanded market values in the trillions,” Buffett wrote. The company’s 2024 tax payment reportedly amounted to 5% of the total corporate taxes collected last year. Since Buffett took over, the company has paid $101 billion in taxes, according to the letter.“
So he has paid "$101 Billion since he took over". That was 1965 at the latest. But he paid $26.8 billion in just one year? Last year? I'm telling your those numbers are skewed and/or he paid a much smaller amount over the previous 59 years.
Did you read the articles I took the time to find and share? I can give you more. Sometimes you have to accept facts. Or you are simply saying Warren Buffett is a liar.
Yes and I also read Buffet's letter. So in 60 years they've paid 101 billion. Directly from his letter:
"For sixty years, Berkshire shareholders endorsed continuous reinvestment and that enabled the company to build its taxable income. Cash income-tax payments to the U.S. Treasury, miniscule in the first decade, now aggregate more than $101 billion . . . and counting."
Last year alone 26.9 billion. So I guess the "and counting" will continue in these larger amounts and the government can spend it wisely. Another oddity is they showed operating income of $47 billion so... $26.9 billion in taxes seems like a lot to pay on that income so good for them
yep, Warren Buffett is a smart man. Doesn't seem to let his bias show when he writes, etc. I know this will make many of Bill's readers happy - I will not be renewing my subscription. Reason given: Bill is biased. Bill's bias is drawing in more & more biased readers, screaming & insulting more & more. I guess that's the type of reader/subscriber Bill wants. Bill is upset because I guess he thinks he's smarter than Buffett & thinks by golly Buffett should be on the same side as Bill is.
I just signed up for the Liberal Patriot - John Halpin will be getting my $ instead. Even tho his substack is titled Liberal it is a well discussed forum, no insulters, on 'both' sides.
What finally convinced me to subscribe after reading for quite a while was:
no need to reply to this, cause I won't be responding. Anyone new to this site can be happy to be in your echo chamber. You can also perhaps go back & read old days & see dear Darrell's insults to others who have also vanished. Darrell will insult me, I have no doubt. That's his best tool.
Isn't everyone biased? It's a pity you won't hear what others have to say, and that is coming from a woman who is pretty sick and tired of hearing a lot of white men asking me what my real issue is. If it isn't obvious to you I have no time for you. And yet, not having time to listen to what you're saying and understanding not what you're missing, but what I am missing, is pretty darn important to really know what the hell is actually happening.
But I'll certainly check out the Patriot as well ( can't believe I just said that)😅
Cool…I can reply and receive no response!!! Everyone is biased, even Warren. Too bad you are unable to read between the lines, even when Bill shows you the way.
I think Warren is wise by not getting down into the muck of politics and simply focus on his wheelhouse, investing, making money for himself and his investors. I would bet that if asked, Warren would be rooting for Trump, he knows that servicing $36 trillion dollars of debt is going to very quickly sink our American ship. Why not take a deep breath and let's see if Trump and his team can right our ship and set us on better footing for our future economic health. People are freaking out about tariffs and Doge, why not just sit back and see if they produce what Trump says they will. Doing what we have been doing for the last 50 years has only increased our debt and bloated our government. Let's break out of the insane cycle and try something new.
Well, I may be reading an entirely different letter, but I am pretty sure that within Buffet's writing, I read at least two references to our current "leaders" as well as the situation we are in as a nation. And that may say a ton about perspective I suppose. Specifically, when I read the words "capitalism has its faults and abuses in certain respects more egregious now than ever", I did assume Buffet was referring to our current socio/political economy, in which we are moving away from our responsibilities as humans and are embracing an infantile, selfish, fear driven money grab.
And in the words "our country has forever had scoundrels who seek to take advantage of those who mistakenly trust them with their savings" I completely see a clear reference to a huge number of the rank and file voters who put our current POTUS in place, but whose interests are absolutely and clearly NOT being served and are subsequently being robbed of said savings in the form of market instability, abandonment of infrastructure commitments, empty jobs promises (where? In coal mines and car factories?!) as well as cuts to social welfare programs who those very constituents will hope to rely on some day.
And finally there is "spend it wisely. Take care of the many, who through no fault of their own, get the short straws in life". Doesn't this refer to a type of humanity that knows better and knows how to go forward and do the higher and greater good that the winners and Gods in this capitalistic market had instilled in them from birth? Because they were the luckiest and the quickest and they could provide the wisdom and the vigilance. Idk. I thought Warren was speaking directly about all of it.
Bill, Your writing is amazing and you are full of talent. I joined this newsletter because of the
Warren Buffet articles you wrote. I am inspired by Buffet’s message and your ability to project it. I am sad that the comments have become so political and some are down right nasty. Sharing our opinion is a national right. Thank you for the great work you do! Cheers from Portland, OR!
I guess the answer might be to have a look at the other presidents and see what he said or didn't say about them. Maybe his lack of comment about the current president is just that....he does not want politics to enter into his dialogue....ever. I would applaud him for that, frankly. Finally, someone with a brain who chooses not to talk about politics.
Buffett's reassuring words about our long-term economic picture are a balm we have needed. Thanks for your perspective and his. If only we could apply Buffett's long-term optimism to the plight of those served by US AID, or our progress fighting disease, or the reputation of America overseas..... But I shall not take counsel in my fears today. Cheers.
Maybe he sensed a less than favorable consequence?
Bill, I wonder if Buffet uses Rule of Law as the concept that allows for the stability necessary for him to seemingly ignore what the words and phrases you noted he doesn’t use. Bill
Thanks for this post - refreshing insights in a world of distraction.
Did he mention Crypto? Did he mention trade with Canada which is huge for some of his businesses? It’s good to ignore the chaff, it’s problematic to ignore fundamental shuddering.
Thank you, sir. Mr. Buffet is a smart man whom I admire greatly. My dad preached "long term investing" also, and, having listened to him, I do not worry about market ups and downs. Strong companies, well managed, will continue to exist and ultimately thrive.
I worry about all the People who have lost their jobs and others who have lost their support network(s), for example USAID, School Lunch support and the Farm programs that supported them, and Voice of America for heaven's sake! Those people have lost both tangible and intangible support. That loss is not easily endured or corrected and those losses are worth our deepest concern and eventually our actions towards restoration.
I believe Mr Buffett is reserving comment on his two fellow billionaires while waiting for the inevitable. What happens when Trump and Musk start pointing fingers at each other when the DOGE experiment goes south? The words loyalty and responsibility do not exist in either of their vocabularies.
Just like the power in the white space of an ad, what isn’t said is often much more powerful than what is said.
Bill, you are a clever writer and I enjoy reading your stuff! There is more I could say but you deserve the mystery.
Thank you
I would love to see the data showing Berkshire contributing 5% of all coorporate taxes to the US Treasury. I find that very hard to believe it's that much.
“Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett wrote in his annual shareholder letter that his company paid $26.8 billion in taxes for 2024, marking the highest-ever payment made to the U.S. government. Buffett made it clear he didn’t mind paying such a large tax bill, but urged the government to use it to take care of burdened Americans.”
“Berkshire Hathaway’s $26.8 billion tax bill for 2024 marked the largest-ever tax payment made to the U.S. government—surpassing even tech giants “that commanded market values in the trillions,” Buffett wrote. The company’s 2024 tax payment reportedly amounted to 5% of the total corporate taxes collected last year. Since Buffett took over, the company has paid $101 billion in taxes, according to the letter.“
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/berkshire-hathaway-paid-biggest-tax-013800273.html
All that from a quick search! https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/03/13/theres-a-valuable-lesson-to-learn-from-berkshire-h/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/there-s-a-valuable-lesson-to-learn-from-berkshire-hathaway-s-26-8-billion-tax-bill/ar-AA1APRnY
So he has paid "$101 Billion since he took over". That was 1965 at the latest. But he paid $26.8 billion in just one year? Last year? I'm telling your those numbers are skewed and/or he paid a much smaller amount over the previous 59 years.
Did you read the articles I took the time to find and share? I can give you more. Sometimes you have to accept facts. Or you are simply saying Warren Buffett is a liar.
Yes and I also read Buffet's letter. So in 60 years they've paid 101 billion. Directly from his letter:
"For sixty years, Berkshire shareholders endorsed continuous reinvestment and that enabled the company to build its taxable income. Cash income-tax payments to the U.S. Treasury, miniscule in the first decade, now aggregate more than $101 billion . . . and counting."
Last year alone 26.9 billion. So I guess the "and counting" will continue in these larger amounts and the government can spend it wisely. Another oddity is they showed operating income of $47 billion so... $26.9 billion in taxes seems like a lot to pay on that income so good for them
yep, Warren Buffett is a smart man. Doesn't seem to let his bias show when he writes, etc. I know this will make many of Bill's readers happy - I will not be renewing my subscription. Reason given: Bill is biased. Bill's bias is drawing in more & more biased readers, screaming & insulting more & more. I guess that's the type of reader/subscriber Bill wants. Bill is upset because I guess he thinks he's smarter than Buffett & thinks by golly Buffett should be on the same side as Bill is.
I just signed up for the Liberal Patriot - John Halpin will be getting my $ instead. Even tho his substack is titled Liberal it is a well discussed forum, no insulters, on 'both' sides.
What finally convinced me to subscribe after reading for quite a while was:
https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/citizenship-without-partisanship
no need to reply to this, cause I won't be responding. Anyone new to this site can be happy to be in your echo chamber. You can also perhaps go back & read old days & see dear Darrell's insults to others who have also vanished. Darrell will insult me, I have no doubt. That's his best tool.
Isn't everyone biased? It's a pity you won't hear what others have to say, and that is coming from a woman who is pretty sick and tired of hearing a lot of white men asking me what my real issue is. If it isn't obvious to you I have no time for you. And yet, not having time to listen to what you're saying and understanding not what you're missing, but what I am missing, is pretty darn important to really know what the hell is actually happening.
But I'll certainly check out the Patriot as well ( can't believe I just said that)😅
Cool…I can reply and receive no response!!! Everyone is biased, even Warren. Too bad you are unable to read between the lines, even when Bill shows you the way.
Bye Felicia…
I think Warren is wise by not getting down into the muck of politics and simply focus on his wheelhouse, investing, making money for himself and his investors. I would bet that if asked, Warren would be rooting for Trump, he knows that servicing $36 trillion dollars of debt is going to very quickly sink our American ship. Why not take a deep breath and let's see if Trump and his team can right our ship and set us on better footing for our future economic health. People are freaking out about tariffs and Doge, why not just sit back and see if they produce what Trump says they will. Doing what we have been doing for the last 50 years has only increased our debt and bloated our government. Let's break out of the insane cycle and try something new.
Yep, that what they said in Germany…
Outstanding observation. LOVE that he is proud to pay his share of taxes. Where did we lose that in our current society?
Well, I may be reading an entirely different letter, but I am pretty sure that within Buffet's writing, I read at least two references to our current "leaders" as well as the situation we are in as a nation. And that may say a ton about perspective I suppose. Specifically, when I read the words "capitalism has its faults and abuses in certain respects more egregious now than ever", I did assume Buffet was referring to our current socio/political economy, in which we are moving away from our responsibilities as humans and are embracing an infantile, selfish, fear driven money grab.
And in the words "our country has forever had scoundrels who seek to take advantage of those who mistakenly trust them with their savings" I completely see a clear reference to a huge number of the rank and file voters who put our current POTUS in place, but whose interests are absolutely and clearly NOT being served and are subsequently being robbed of said savings in the form of market instability, abandonment of infrastructure commitments, empty jobs promises (where? In coal mines and car factories?!) as well as cuts to social welfare programs who those very constituents will hope to rely on some day.
And finally there is "spend it wisely. Take care of the many, who through no fault of their own, get the short straws in life". Doesn't this refer to a type of humanity that knows better and knows how to go forward and do the higher and greater good that the winners and Gods in this capitalistic market had instilled in them from birth? Because they were the luckiest and the quickest and they could provide the wisdom and the vigilance. Idk. I thought Warren was speaking directly about all of it.
You are so right. He was and he did so eloquently.
Well I stepped back and realized yes he was and that was kind of obvious so I had a laugh at myself. Ah well.
Bill, Your writing is amazing and you are full of talent. I joined this newsletter because of the
Warren Buffet articles you wrote. I am inspired by Buffet’s message and your ability to project it. I am sad that the comments have become so political and some are down right nasty. Sharing our opinion is a national right. Thank you for the great work you do! Cheers from Portland, OR!
I guess the answer might be to have a look at the other presidents and see what he said or didn't say about them. Maybe his lack of comment about the current president is just that....he does not want politics to enter into his dialogue....ever. I would applaud him for that, frankly. Finally, someone with a brain who chooses not to talk about politics.
You could do that. Or you could “read between the lines.” That’s an idiom that according to the Cambridge dictionary means:
“to try to understand someone's real feelings or intentions from what they say or write:
Reading between the lines, I'd say he isn't happy with the situation.”